Ramon Magsaysay Awardee Eva Fidela Maamo passes away at 85

Sister Eva Fidela Maamo, a surgeon, missionary, and 1997 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee, has passed away at the age of 85.

On Facebook, the Ramon Magsaysay Award page shared the news, joining the nation in mourning her death and honoring her life of service to the poor.

“She founded Foundation of Our Lady of Peace Mission, Inc in 1986, establishing no-fee health clinics in ten squatter communities, feeding malnourished children, sheltering street youth and abused women, and launching livelihood programs that restored dignity to the most vulnerable. Her medical-surgical missions brought volunteer doctors, nurses, and dentists to far-flung communities across the country—treating tens of thousands at no cost,” the foundation said.

Despite her small stature, the foundation described Maamo as “immense in spirit,” noting that she led by example and inspired her volunteers to endure long and exhausting missions.

“Through a life wholly given to ‘the least of His brethren,’ she showed that compassion, made concrete and courageous, is itself a form of nation-building.”

Sister Eva was born on September 17, 1940 in Liloan, Southern Leyte.

She matriculated at the Velez College of Medicine in Cebu and practiced at her family’s clinic in Liloan. —Carby Rose Basina/JCB, GMA News